Chisasibi & LG-1 Road

Chisasibi is a Cree town with a population of over 4000. English, French and
Cree are spoken here. Aside from their native tongue of Cree, the Cree of
northern Quebec generally speak English rather than French.

West of the gigantic facilities of the La Grande complex, this is the last
community accessible by road. Chisasibi is the last community accessible by
road. Chisasibi, which means "great river" in Cree, was a village originally
located on Fort Georges Island, formerly Govenor's Island, which is open to
visitors. In 1981, following the signing of the Chisasibi Agreement, the village
was relocated to the mainland. Fort Georges was the site of a HBC trading post
built in 1837 by Georges Atkinson, a Scottish Metis who gave his name to the
island. This strategic location favoured the development of trading links
between the different Native communities of the North. As a result, the French
and the English fought to monopolize the market. Fort Georges Island is a
well-known meeting place and a centre for festivities. Each summer, it hosts a
major pow-wow that draws people from everywhere.

The road to Chisasibi starts at Km 600 of the
James Bay Road. This road leads to Hydro
Quebec's LG-1 dam and hydro generation station, Chisasibi, Longue Pointe, and to
James Bay itself. It is paved all the way to Chisasibi.

Drive to the very end of the Chisasibi Road, which ends at the La Grande
River - see the maps and guide below for details.

Drive to James Bay - see the maps and guide below for details. James Bay
is a very flat place - all you can see out there are low islands. Most of
the islands have no trees, and there are large areas of bare rock. Its
beauty is in its remoteness. James Bay is part of the Arctic Ocean.
Yet the water is only faintly salty here, because of the number of large
rivers that drain into it. There are noticeable tides.

Tour the LG-1 power station and dam. Phone (819) 638-8486 or
1-800-291-8486. You must reserve ahead of time. English-speaking tours may
be available (?). For more info, see the
Hydro-Quebec Project page.

Drive to James Bay via LG-1, taking the road to Longue Pointe (unpaved) -
see the maps and guide below for details.

Guide to the Chisasibi Road and
Chisasibi area

The Km distances in this guide are measured from the
James Bay Road, and do not refer to the Km posts along the
road to Chisasibi.
The Km distances in this guide may not be accurate. I have not measured
them with my vehicle's odometer. But at least they'll give you an idea
of the distances involved.
This road is paved all the way to Chisasibi.

In the summer of 2002 there was a checkpoint here operated by the local
Crees. Part of its purpose is to ensure that alcohol does not enter the
town of Chisasibi.

62 Km

Road to LG-1 power station, about 7 km to the north. Tours are
available here.
If you continue along the road and cross the LG-1 dam, the road continues
for north and west for 48 km to Longue Pointe on James Bay (unpaved).

90 Km

Access to the Cree town of Chisiasibi (the road bypasses the town).
Population of about 3500. There are two access roads to the town.

approx 92.5 Km

Second access road to Chisasibi town. Just past here the pavement ends.

approx 96 Km

Access road to the actual James Bay (12 km away). To find this road,
after you pass the access roads to Chisasibi, pass a fenced area to the
left, but do not go as far as the airport. Turn left on a well-used
gravel road. After about 2.5 km this road forks (you'll pass an old boat
on the left side). The right fork leads down the hill to the Fort George
Island ferry. The left fork leads to James Bay, about 9.5 km further.
This is the Arctic Ocean!
There are picnic tables and shelters there. There are many freighter
canoes and snowmobiles lying around. Please respect the property of
others.

approx 96.5 Km

Chisasibi Airport

approx 97.5 Km

End of the Chisasibi Road - Km 0 marker. Just ahead of you down the
slope is the La Grande River.